10 Encouraging Truths for Victorious Christian Living

Have you ever sat down to watch the news or read the headlines and ended up just turning it all off because it is so depressing?

There is so much evil in our world today. The world, the flesh, and the devil make it very difficult to see avenues of victory in our Christian lives amongst all the evil.

Instead of focusing on the depressing nature of our world and the evil contained in it, may I share with you today some hope?

John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue share the following ten encouraging truths in their book Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth. These truths are meant to aid believers in their life to seek victory over evil instead of giving in to despair and defeat. Let’s look at these truths and draw some applications for our lives today!

1. ​The Savior’s Victory at Calvary

This is the first and maybe one of the most exciting truths in this list! Christ’s victory over death on Calvary cast out the prince of this world (John 12:31). Christ claimed victory over death and simultaneously handed Satan the defeat (Hebrews 2:14). We, as believers, have the privilege of claiming the blood of the Lamb who was slain for us and join in His conquering of the devil (Revelation 12:11).

2. ​The Overcomer’s Promise

John writes in at least two passages that, as believers, we are overcomers (1 John 2:13; 5:4-5). What is an overcomer? John says it this way: “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5). Friends, we don’t have to cower in despair over the evil in our world. If you know the Lord, you are an overcomer through Christ!

3. ​Christ’s Intercessory Prayer

Did you know that Jesus prayed for you and for me that we would be kept from evil? Read John 17:15 and 20. When He was in the upper room acting in His role as High Priest and praying for the disciples, He included us. What a blessed thought to know that He never intended us to give in to evil in this world! Remember that He is the One Who keeps us and we are safe in His hand (Jn. 10:28-29)!

4. Christ’s Protection

We don’t need to fear the Wicked One because 1 John 5:18 tells us that Christ is the One protecting us from even the touch of the Wicked One! What boldness we can rest in knowing that we are under Christ’s protection.

5. ​The Spirit’s Indwelling Power

Not only are we protected by Christ, but we are also accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit. John again tells us that the power of the Holy Spirit within us is so much greater than the power of any evil from without. I love the truth of 1 John 4:4 – “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.” What a powerful truth for every believer to grab hold of!

6. ​The Knowledge of Satan’s Schemes

Did you ever wonder why Jesus tells us so much about Satan and how he works in this world? It is for just this reason. He wants us to know how Satan works so that “we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11). Someone pointed out to me recently that Peter encourages us to cast all our cares on Christ and then in the next verse he reminds us that once we have placed all those cares on Him, that we MUST be watchful of the devil’s tactics (1 Peter 5:7-8). What we know about Satan is there to help us not fall prey to his schemes!

7. ​The Believer’s Prayer

Part of Jesus’ model prayer in Matthew 6 includes our need to pray for deliverance from evil (Matthew 6:13). Paul tells us in the passage on the armor of God that prayer is a constant necessity for the soldier of God (Ephesians 6:18). It doesn’t mean that we have any command of Satan or his forces through our prayers, but it is something that the Lord modeled for us. Are you praying that God would deliver you from the evil surrounding you and your family?

8. ​Biblical Instructions for Defeating Satan

James gives the believer instructions on how to defeat Satan when we are tempted. First, we are to submit ourselves to God (James 4:7a). Second, he tells us to resist the devil, and he will flee from us (James 4:7b; 1 Peter 5:9). Then he tells us to draw near to God and watch Him draw near to us (James 4:8). We don’t have to give in to sin! Submit to God, resist the devil, and draw near to your God to find victory over sin!

9. Shepherds Who Strengthen and Encourage the Church

God has provided the wonderful blessing of the church led by a pastor or shepherd who is there to edify, encourage, and exhort the believers in our faith. Their task is to do these things so that we don’t give in to the temptations of this world (1 Thessalonians 3:2, 5). Are you taking advantage of this blessing and putting yourself regularly under the teaching and preaching of a Godly pastor in a Biblically sound church?

10. ​Confidence That Christ Has Won the Ultimate Victory

Finally, we come to the last truth which is transformational for our fight against evil – THE BATTLE HAS ALREADY BEEN WON! We fight from victory since we know the end of the story. When all is said and done at the end of the Millennium, Jesus will be the ultimate Victor over sin and Satan and all that comes with that. Satan will be eternally judged just as Jesus predicted (Revelation 20:10). This impending victory should incite confidence in our hearts that we can live in victory over sin and evil today!

These truths will not stop all the evil in this world, but they do change the perspective we should have concerning this evil. What are you and I doing about those who are unaware of these truths? Have we told anyone that there is hope amid the terrible things that are happening in our world today? Have we grasped these truths in our own hearts to help dispel the fear and worry that may pervade our thinking? Don’t give in to feelings of despair. Choose today to live a victorious Christian life because of these truths. 

Which one of these truths is most transforming for you today?